117049 Mon Nov 22 14:17:27 -0800 2004 8 7 Chicago Area 0 639026 Restaurants in Chicago are improving a lot. It's amazing everytime I visit. However, it's too bad that the noise is not improved. Nice looking places almost always have hip music. Why?? Green Zibra, Aqua sushi, Kamehachi, Rumba, Mia Francesca, and some other Italian/Spanish places were very noisy and we had to yell to each other. In the middle of dinner, I always get exausted in stead of relaxing. Please let me know nice quite restaurants where I can "talk" during dinner. I need your recommendation. Mon Nov 22 14:17:27 -0800 2004 0 Visitor 1 639031 Restaurants that think noise makes them attractive are a pet peeve of mine. Ristorante Agostino on Harlem just north of Diversey has excellent Italian food and allows conversation, especially at the table in the far south corner as you enter the dining room. (Note: When I last ate at Agostino a couple of months ago, a new dining room to the south or right of the bar as you enter was being readied.) Sayat Nova, the Aremenian hideaway on Ohio, is sedate, at least at lunch, with several semicircular nooks to boot. Pegasus is generally quieter than the boisterous restaurants in Greektown such as the Parthenon and Greek Islands. (Greek Islands in Lombard, however, is quiet.) Should you find any other good restaurants that are quiet, please share your finds. Good luck. Mon Nov 22 15:33:29 -0800 2004 639026 0 Mugs 2 639589 A Tavola on Chicago Ave. is quiet in a pleasant way. I recommend it. Mon Dec 13 17:16:30 -0800 2004 639031 0 jsimp 1 639034 I know what you mean. Blackbird, for instance. Spectacularly good food, but so noisy and cramped that I will only go there for lunch when it is usually much less crowded. Even when full at lunch it is quieter because people are drinking less. More alcohol equals more noise. Take Spring, for example: Early in the service it is pretty quiet even with a full house. But after 8:00 or 8:30 it's usually a wall of white noise. The quietest spots are also, unfortunately, the most expensive. TRU is good because there's so much space between tables. Charlie Trotter's is quiet because they "shush" you constantly: "No talking in the temple of food!" Actually, they just get well-behaved patrons for the most part. Les Nomades is one of the quietest, most romantic restaurants in the country. Trio, even as the reborn, budget-ish priced Trio Atelier is fairly quiet (although that may change now that it's being discovered by the masses). Roy's (the upscale Hawaiian place) also has a tolerable noise level and decently-spaced tables. Then, of course, there are those places that are quiet because no one eats there. I'd gladly rather scream at Mia Francesca's than eat bad food in a quiet place. Mon Nov 22 17:53:21 -0800 2004 639026 0 Pugman 1 639040 If you want a quiet restaurant DON'T go to Frontera Grill, and Topolobampo isn't much better as it's separated from Frontera just by a curtain. Mon Nov 22 19:46:59 -0800 2004 639026 0 N Tocus 1 639045 ....(FKA La Rosetta) is overrun at lunch, but lovely and quiet at dinner, probably because it's confusingly located within the Three First National building. The entrance is between Dearborn & Clark streets on Madison. I've spent a few very pleasant evenings there. Here's a bit more info: Link: http://www.rosebudrestaurants.com/larosetta.htm Mon Nov 22 23:06:17 -0800 2004 639026 0 peg 1 639046 For great rustic French... do Cafe Bernard on Halsted Mon Nov 22 23:10:43 -0800 2004 639026 0 Chicago Mike 1 639056 Sounds like you ought to check out the more neighborhoody, less see-and-be-scene places for a quiet dinner (read: away from Division St) Lucca's in Lakeview (Southport & Wolfram) is a good choice, as is Erwin. In Old Town, I'd say Trattoria Dinotto and Bistro Margot. All populated, but not ridiculously loud. North Pond Cafe is also rather quiet. Tue Nov 23 11:58:32 -0800 2004 639026 0 nickel 2 639098 Second to Erwins. Also, Crofton on Wells is very quiet and a great restaurant with excellent service. Another easy to speak spot is Trattoria Roma in Old Town. Thu Nov 25 12:18:05 -0800 2004 639056 0 mark l